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Freezing and unfreezing your credit is free.
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A credit freeze, also called a security freeze, is a free way to stop activity on your credit report if you suspect your identity was stolen.
Unlike an identity theft report, you have to contact each of the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — individually to freeze your credit.
In addition to credit freezes, you can also place a fraud alert on your credit or subscribe to a credit monitoring service.
Your credit history and credit score dictate many of the major milestones in your life, from renting an apartment to buying a house. Unfortunately, bad actors know this too, which is why your identity and credit are common targets for theft.
Fortunately, you have a few tools in your credit toolbox you can deploy against would-be identity thieves. One of these tools is a credit freeze, which halts any new credit-related activity.
What is a credit freeze?
A credit freeze prevents the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — from sharing your credit report with any person or lender. This will stop potential lenders from looking at your credit file but will also prevent anyone from fraudulently taking out a loan or opening a line of credit in your name.
“If you’ve been the victim of a data breach or identity theft, a credit freeze is a good way to mitigate the risk of further damage to your finances and identity,” says Greg Mahnken, a former credit industry analyst with Credit Card Insider. “If an identity thief or unauthorized person tries to apply for credit in your name, they will not be able to access your credit reports and the application will be denied.”
Also known as a security freeze, credit freezes were made completely free in 2018 by the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. It is also free to unfreeze your credit if you want to use it for anything such as a new credit card or if you’re buying a home.
“Freezing your credit is an effective, cost-free way to make it harder for thieves to open up credit cards or other financial accounts in your name,” says Dana Marineau, the former vice president at Credit Karma. “But keep in mind that it can be a hassle to remove a freeze from all three bureaus every time you need a credit check.”
How to freeze your credit
The most important thing to know when you freeze your credit is that the credit bureaus will not notify each other of a credit freeze as if you were reporting an instance of identity theft. You’ll need to freeze your credit from all three bureaus individually, says Mahnken.
1. Gather your information
For each of the bureaus, you’ll need to provide personal information including your full legal name, social security number, date of birth, and home address.
If you request a credit freeze by mail, you will need to provide additional documents that verify your identity, social security number, and address. For your identity, you will need to include a copy of your driver’s license, passport, or state-issued ID. For your social, you’ll need a copy of your SSN card, pay stub with your SSN included, W-2 form, or 1099 form. To verify your address, you will need to include a copy of a lease agreement, pay stub with address, utility bill, or phone bill.
Note: Send copies of these documents, not the originals.
2. Reach out to all three credit bureaus
You will need to place a credit freeze with each of the three major credit bureaus individually. This can be accomplished online, by phone, or by mail. These three credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.
Equifax credit freeze: You can easily freeze your credit with Equifax on its website, or via an automated phone line: 800-685-1111 (800-349-9960 for New York residents). If you’d rather talk to a human, its customer care number is 888-298-0045. You can also freeze your credit by mail using their Fraud Request Alert Form.
Experian credit freeze: To freeze your credit at Experian, you can visit Experian’s online Freeze Center. You can also call 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742). You can also send a written request to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.
TransUnion credit freeze: You can request a TransUnion credit freeze through their online portal. You can also add a freeze via the automated phone system (or opt to speak to a live agent) by calling 888-909-8872. You can also print and complete TransUnion’s Security Freeze Request Form.
To manage your credit freezes, each credit bureau used to provide you with a unique PIN, which you’d need to keep in a safe place for when you wanted to lift the freeze. Now, each bureau has a service center that lets you freeze and unfreeze your credit.
3. How to unfreeze credit
A credit freeze can be lifted at any time online or by phone and will remain in place until you ask the credit bureau to temporarily lift or remove it.
If you request a lift of the freeze, the credit bureau must lift it within one hour, according to the Federal Trade Commission. If you make your request by mail, the credit bureau must lift the freeze within three business days after it gets your request. There is no charge to lift the credit freeze.
Quick tip: If you’re applying for credit, try asking your lender which bureau they will be using. If you can’t find out which bureau they’re using, you will have to lift the freeze on all three bureaus.
Alternatives to credit freeze
Because it’s free, a credit freeze is a great option for protecting your credit. However, there are additional tools you can deploy to protect your credit.
You can place fraud alerts on your credit, which will require lenders to take reasonable steps to confirm your identity before extending lines of credit. Once you place a fraud alert through one of the credit bureaus, that bureau is required to inform the other bureaus. A fraud alert lasts a year before you have to renew it. You can look into extended fraud alerts, though they are only available to people who have reported an instance of identity theft through IdentityTheft.gov or have already been a victim of identity theft.
Subscribing to a credit monitoring service allows you to keep tabs on your credit without making any changes to your credit. While the free services usually offer rudimentary credit monitoring, only notifying you of any changes to your credit report, the paid services can also offer comprehensive identity protection such as social media monitoring and protection of other financial accounts including banking and investments.
Credit freeze frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a credit freeze and credit lock?
A credit lock is a service that credit bureaus offer separate from what they’re legally required to by the federal government. Credit freezes and credit locks have similar functions in that they restrict who can access your credit report. The main difference between the two is cost: credit freezes are free while credit locks may cost you money depending on the bureau.
That said, some of these credit locks also come with identity theft insurance, usually up to $1 million.
Can someone else freeze my credit?
No. Unless you are under 16, in which case your parent or legal guardian can freeze your credit on your behalf, you are the only one who can freeze your credit. You will have to provide various documents to prove your identity.
Does freezing your credit hurt your credit?
A credit freeze doesn’t damage your credit and you can lift it when you need a credit check, like when you’re applying for a loan or opening a credit card.
However, you do need to contact each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to place the freeze, and you must contact them again when you want to lift it, even temporarily.
Who can see my credit report after a credit freeze?
There are still several parties that can access your credit reports after you’ve placed a freeze on them. First and foremost, freezing your credit will not prevent you from accessing your own credit reports, which you can get every week until the end of 2023. The three credit bureaus will also continue to have access to your credit reports as well as government agencies.
Companies that you already have a credit relationship with, and the collection agencies that they employ, will continue to have access to your credit when you freeze your credit.